Small Pedestal Coffee Table Makeover

I picked up this small pedestal coffee table at a new thrift store. First, I thought it might be a round side table, but that doesn’t make sense. The round pedestal table has a very low profile, making reaching over the arm of a chair or sofa difficult.

The new thrift store was selling everything half off. I bought this little gal for $12.50. If you’re a regular visitor, you know that is well over my $5 limit. However, I felt it was worth it until I loaded it into the truck.

Always Inspect Your Thrift Store Purchase

At the thrift store, the table was loaded down with other items, and I was in a hurry. I didn’t take the time to inspect the top of the table properly. It was difficult to get a good photo, but the tabletop has raised bubbled places.

Sand a Rough Tabletop

The places are a little more visible after sanding the tabletop with my Ryobi Orbital Sander.

Clean Round Pedestal Coffee Table

I used Heirloom Traditions Surface Prep Cleaning Wipes to remove the sanding dust and wipe the grime off the table’s base. When trying to get a smooth finish that has damage like this, it’s best to rub your hand over the tabletop rather than judge the work with your eyes. The top of the pedestal coffee table looked smooth, but feeling it with my hand told me I needed to sand it more.

The Base of The Pedestal Table is in Great Shape

The wipes cleaned the wood perfectly, revealing that the pedestal table base did not need painting. However, as the photo above shows, the base is dirty.

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Painting A Tabletop Without Using Painter’s Tape

Since the base didn’t need painting, I was happy that this pedestal coffee table project would be quick. That means I didn’t want to waste time and effort applying painter’s tape.

This small roller is the perfect option for painting a tabletop without painter’s tape. The key is to pour a little paint on a foam paper plate, allowing you to load the roller with less paint. A light first coat of paint is a must, following up with two more coats.

The paint color is All-in-One-Paint Irish Garden.

The First Coat Will Be Ugly

If your first coat looks good, you’ve used too much paint. The purpose of the thin (light) first coat is to allow the following layers of paint to have better adhesion.

Sanding In Between Coats of Paint

I once referred to this as “sanding,” and a reader informed me that it is “burnishing”. Whatever you call it, this brown paper is free when you order something online, and I have a lot of it. It works best if you crumple it up and make it soft. I find that using it between coats leaves me with the smoothest topcoat.

So, I took this photo to show you how small this pedestal coffee table is. I worked on this Furniture Fixer Upper project while I was at my vacation home, which I refer to as “The Hideaway.”

Then I took the table home so that I could put it in my booth, but I thought it needed a little bling.

Adding Furniture Transfers to a Pedestal Coffee Table

I had this Redesign by Prima Mystic Hydrangea Furniture Transfer in my stash and decided to use it on the pedestal coffee table.

I prefer to use this wooden spurtle in lieu of the popsicle stick or tongue depressor that comes with the transfer. It is easier for my old hands to hold, and I can use the bowl of the spoon in large areas and the pointed end in small pieces.

Wax the Furniture Transfer

I used Dixie Belle Wax and a sponge to seal the pedestal tabletop and the hydrangea transfer.

Colorful Hydrangeas

Speaking of hydrangeas, this is my bush this year. I’ve always loved the colorful blooms.

Petite Round Pedestal Coffee Table

I love how this easy Furniture Fixer Upper Project turned out, and I hope you do, too. Someone loved it because it sold within a couple of days.

What do you think? Should the base be painted? I would love for you to leave a comment or share this furniture makeover before you dash off to see my friends’ other great makeovers.

Fabulous Furniture Fixer Upper Projects

• Furniture Makeover Using Oops Paint
• Decoupaged Table Makeover
• Painting a Side Table
• Child’s Painted Secretary Desk
• Pedestal Coffee Table Makeover (You are here, Thank You)

We will be back next month with more Fabulous Furniture Fixer Upper Projects!